State Rep. Michael Ashford (D-Toledo) today announced the release of $1,827,843 in state funds to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (MHAS) for upgrades to five of the state’s mental health facilities. Among MHAS facilities selected to receive a portion of the Network Switch & Cabling Upgrade funds is the Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital (NOPH) in Lucas County.

“These necessary upgrades will help enhance comprehensive healthcare services that patients at NOPH desperately need and depend on,” said Ashford. “Aging and out of date technology can significantly reduce the quality of service that health care professionals are able to provide, potentially causing major setbacks on a patient’s road to recovery. I’m pleased that the state is supporting NOPH in their commitment to providing the most effective and efficient care for Ohioans suffering with mental illnesses.”

Upgrades for MHAS hospitals will include new analog telephone adapters, core switches, power supplies, cable installation, and vandal resistant phones. The Network Switch and Cabling Upgrade project will help support hospitals’ day to day communications, video surveillance, electronic medical record maintenance and even emergency communications.

The Northwest Psychiatric Hospital in Toledo is one of six regional psychiatric hospitals that operate under the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. These specialized facilities provide short-term, intensive treatment to patients in both inpatient and community-supported environments. They also deliver comprehensive care to patients committed by criminal courts.